Every 4G and 5G user in the country will hear a ten second siren at 3pm.
2
2
The emergency test will be the same volume as a ringtone, vibrate and come with a message.
It will read: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
The Government say the system will make it easier for the public to be notified of major incidents like terror attacks and severe weather.
Emergency alerts will mostly be received in English, with some also in Welsh.
If you do not have a compatible device, you’ll still be informed about an emergency.
Deputy PM Oliver Dowden told Sky News keeping the public safe is “the number one job of government” and the system “could save your life.”
He added: “This is just a test, you don’t need to do anything, it’s rather like a fire alarm test.
“It’s a bit irritating at the time but in future people could be grateful for it because in a real emergency this could be the sound that saves your life.”
Mr Dowden rejected claims it could panic Brits – pointing to a “positive” 140,000 person pilot of the tech in Reading, Berks.
“Most British people in these situations keep calm and carry on”, he added.
But there are fresh fears the system could be hacked by rogue protesters seeking to spark chaos.
They can reportedly send fake alerts within a kilometre radius on less than £1,000 of equipment.
The alert will work on all 4G and 5G phones in the UK, as well as iPhone’s on iOS 14.5 or later, and phones and tablets running with Android 11.
The emergency services have other ways to warn you when there is a threat to life.
You can turn off emergency alerts on your phone at any time.
On iPhone, go to settings, then notifications, with switches at the bottom where you can turn off extreme and severe alerts.
On an Android phone, the toggle for emergency alerts is under settings, then notifications, then wireless emergency alerts.